M.
Dudelay, her son, had the effrontery to request to be presented to
me, and charged the excellent M. de Laborde to make known his
wishes to me. I begged he would inform M. Dudelay, that I admitted
into the circle of my acquaintance only such as were known to the
king; and that if he thought proper to apply to his majesty, I
should obey his royal will on the subject, whatever it might be.
He justly considered this repulse as a biting raillery, for which
he never forgave me. I entertained no ill will against him for his
past perfidy, but I considered it strange that he should presume to
approach me with familiarity. I should not have adopted the same
line of conduct towards the farmer-general, his brother, who,
less assuming, contented himself with assuring me of his devotion,
and the sincere regret with which he contemplated the past, without
ever seeking to introduce himself into my presence.
CHAPTER XXII
The chevalier de la Morliere--Portrait of the duc de Choiseul--
The duc de Choiseul and the comtesse du Barry--No
reconciliation effected--Madame du Barry and the duc
d'Aiguillon--Madame du Barry and Louis XV
About this period I received a piece of attention, any thing but
gratifying if considered in a strictly honourable sense. The
contemptible chevalier de la Morliere, who detested me, and
subsequently pursued me with rage, presumed to dedicate to me
some wretched collection of his compositions, and I had the
weakness to accept the dedication; I had even the still greater
folly to receive its author at my house; this piece of condescension
injured me greatly.
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